American railroads: decline and renaissance in the twentieth century

Once an icon of American industry, railroads fell into decline beginning around the turn of the twentieth century.

Overburdened with regulation and often displaced by barges, trucks, and jet aviation, railroads measured their misfortune in lost market share, abandoned track, bankruptcies, and unemployment.

Today, rail transportation is reviving, rescued by new sources of traffic and advanced technology, as well as less onerous bureaucracy.

This title tells a riveting story about how this crucial industry managed to turn itself around.